One option for 2008 possibly under consideration by Fernando Alonso is a sabbatical or even retirement, according to one of the Spaniard’s closest media confidantes.
Antonio Lobato, a correspondent for the Marca newspaper and commentator for Spanish F1 broadcaster Telecinco, said in Turkey that 26-year-old Alonso is so unhappy at McLaren that he might not feature on next year’s grid at all.
“More probable is a sabbatical year”, Lobato wrote in Marca when contemplating speculated moves for Alonso to Renault or Ferrari.
He added: “But you cannot discard a definitive retirement, although it is less probable and would also depend on him winning the world title (this year).”
As to why Alonso would take a sabbatical and then return in 2009, Lobato reckons: “Fernando would only move to a team in which he has options to win.
“This is the problem. Ferrari has two drivers with contracts and BMW will have Heidfeld and Kubica next year.”
